Janata Dal (United) Working President Sanjay Singh has confirmed that Nitish Kumar will be the Chief Minister of Bihar again, and will take oath on November 20 at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna. His remarks came ahead of the JD(U)'s legislature party meeting at Nitish Kumar's residence.
He also revealed that after JD(U)'s meeting, NDA members will gather at the Central Hall, where Nitish will be elected as the leader of the alliance.
Clearing up all the air about who will lead the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar this time, Singh said, "There is a meeting of the JD(U) at 11 am today, in which our Chief Minister, our leader Nitish Kumar ji, will be elected as the leader as per the prescribed process. Then, at 3 pm, there will be a meeting of the NDA in the Central Hall of the Legislative Assembly. In the evening, we will meet the Governor, and the process of forming the government will begin."
Union Minister Satish Chandra Dubey stated that the central leadership will take the final call on the Deputy Chief Ministers and other cabinet ministers. He said, "We had a huge victory in Bihar. There is an atmosphere of happiness. Many leaders will attend the ceremony. The central leadership will decide who will be the Deputy CMs and cabinet ministers in the new government."
The NDA's legislature party meeting is scheduled to take place around 3:30 pm at the Central Hall, following separate meetings of the BJP and JD(U). Nitish Kumar, along with leaders of the five constituent parties of the NDA, will give a brief address. NDA members will then head to the Raj Bhawan to stake a claim to form the new government.
Nitish Kumar has already submitted his resignation to the governor, with the dissolution of the current legislative assembly whose term will end on November 22.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held on November 20 at 11:30 am at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are expected to attend the grand event, which marks the return of Nitish Kumar as the CM for a record tenth time. Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of all states ruled by the NDA, along with BJP National President JP Nadda, have also been invited.